Nintendo's in a funny place right now. The 3DS is doing great, but business types will point out that it's tracking below where the DS was at the same point in its lifespan. The Wii U — the successor to one of the most popular home consoles of all time — is struggling, with dismal sales and a lack of software causing much brow-furrowing amongst fans.

Coming from thirty years in the home console business, I don’t think we’re suffering.

Having endured the commercial disappointments of the N64 and GameCube — both of which were beaten by rival hardware in terms of sales — it's clear that Nintendo can weather storms which would sink other companies. It has been pointed out by several parties — the famous Michael Pachter included — that Nintendo's pockets are deep enough to endure several years of "failure".

Do you think Iwata is perhaps being too optimistic, though? Or are you supremely confident in his ability — and Nintendo's — to turn the Wii U around? Post a comment to share your opinion.

Damien has over a decade of professional writing experience under his belt, as well as a repulsively hairy belly. Rumours that he turned down a role in The Hobbit to work on Nintendo Life are, to the best of our knowledge, completely and utterly unfounded. DamienMcFerran